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Jack Russell

British  

noun

  1. Also called: Jack Russell terrier.  a small short-legged terrier having a white coat with tan, black, or lemon markings: there are rough- and smooth-haired varieties

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Jack Russell

named after John Russell (1795–1883), English clergyman who developed the breed

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ben Gannon-Doak, who was taken off on a stretcher in the first half of this utterly incredible 4-2 victory over Denmark, is like a Jack Russell welcoming its owner home from a week abroad.

From BBC • Nov. 18, 2025

Her first writing gig was for a PBS children’s show called “Wishbone,” about a Jack Russell terrier who imagines himself as a character in literary classics.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 4, 2025

If you think of a Jack Russell and a Labrador, let's say that it needed a Jack Russell.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2024

The breeding of beagles, Jack Russell terriers and miniature schnauzers could also be affected, as well as of dogs with short noses, like the English bulldog, French bulldog and pug.

From New York Times • Mar. 28, 2024

There’s a growl from behind him, and for the first time I see the Jack Russell terrier.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen

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